Petrozavodsk

Petrozavodsk is the capital of Karelia. The history of Petrozavodsk goes back to 1703. At the beginning of the 18th century Russia waged war against Sweden and it undoubtedly needed armament. Under the edict of Peter the Great several new plants were built on the territory of modern Karelia which were to process ore and to produce cannons. One of those plants gave rise to the foundation of Petrozavodsk. Even the name of the town itself tells us about its origin, Petrozavodsk — the Plant of Peter or Petrovsky plant.

The settlement of workers and engineers gradually transformed into a new town. Modern Petrozavodsk is neither a placid provincial town, nor an overcrowded megapolis. Being the capital of the Republic the town is the centre of its social and political life. A variety of seminars, conferences and meetings are held here. The town is also a center of cultural and sport life. In winter time skiing relay races are arranged and during the summer period the Onega Lake regatta draws attention of the town-dwellers and its guests. The All-Russian and international festivals of dramatic, dance and music art are organized in Petrozavodsk annually.

The architectural image of the town is diverse. In the centre of the town you can see houses built in accordance with the classical style canons going back to the 18th century and just beside them there are new buildings of elaborate contours, while the new town districts are built up with uniform monolithic buildings that are adjoined by wooden houses. There are also uncomplicated monuments of historical figures and singular monuments of modern art in Petrozavodsk. Some of them are set up at the embankment of the Onega Lake. The embankment is the most popular crowd puller for the town-dwellers. The ice sculpture festival is held there annually and as for the summer period, diverse feasts and concerts take place at the embankment. You can sit in a summer cafe with your friends and admire the beauty of the Onega Lake or walk along the embankment listening to a peaceful murmur of waves. From Petrozavodsk you can visit: the Kizhi island, Kivach, Martsialnye Vody, Sheltozero and some other places of interests.